Elevating Suitcase

ABSTRACT

An elevating suitcase and method of elevating a suitcase. The elevating suitcase includes a carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from each side of the rectangular base. An elevating structure is attached to the carrying case, the elevating structure having a base frame and a top frame. Collapsible legs are attached at one end to rollers that run in the base frame and at the other end to the top frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication with Ser. No. 61/487,329 filed May 18, 2011 which isincorporated in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every day, countless individuals climb into automobiles, buses andairplanes and embark on business trips and family vacations. Whethertraveling across state lines to visit a relative, trekking acrosscountry for a stay at a resort, or climbing aboard an airplane for animportant business meeting, spending time away from home is a fact oflife for millions of people. Regardless if one travels for business orpleasure, most consumers do not leave home without first packingpersonal belongings necessary for the trip. Changes of clothing, shoes,toiletries, hair dryers and personal mementos are but a few of the manyitems most people pack into a suitcase and take with them on the road.

Travelers have traditionally been required to carry luggage pieces suchas carry-on suitcases through airports and other locations while enroute to a destination. Travelers often use more than one luggage pieceto carry their clothing, personal items, and other articles for use intheir travels. More recently, such luggage pieces have been providedwith wheels to allow travelers to pull such luggage pieces, therebyreducing the physical demands of transporting luggage while traveling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosedan elevating suitcase. The elevating suitcase includes a carrying casehaving a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover,whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from eachside of the rectangular base. An elevating structure is attached to thecarrying case, the elevating structure having a base frame and a topframe. Collapsible legs are attached at one end to rollers that run inthe base frame and at the other end to the top frame.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isdisclosed method of elevating a suitcase. The method includes providinga carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, atop cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardlyfrom each side of the rectangular base attaching an elevating structureto the carrying case. Providing the elevating structure with a baseframe and a top frame. Attaching collapsible legs at one end to rollersthat run in the base frame and at the other end to the top frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of theelevating suitcase, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There have been various suitcases proposed to make luggage handlingeasier for the traveler. Many of these suitcases have included rollersand a pull handle so that the traveler can pull the bag alongside ofhim. However, these traditional improvements to luggage only assist theuser in transporting the luggage. Once the luggage is at its finalresting place, it is not uncommon for people to have trouble lifting theluggage, which can be very heavy. Elderly individuals and those withhandicaps have special difficulty with this issue. The elevatingsuitcase 10 is designed to alleviate this issue. The elevating suitcase10 makes it easier to access the suitcase, whether packing or unpackingit, while reducing physical strain and eliminating the chance of injury.The elevating suitcase 10 is designed to be both easy to use andaffordable.

FIG. 1 is a front three dimensional view of a first embodiment of theelevating suitcase 10. Elevating suitcase 10 consists of a carrying caseor item of luggage 12, including a base 11, four upstanding side wallsor lateral sides 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, and 16 d (sides 16 c and 16 d notshown), and a top cover 17. Sides' 16 a-16 d extend& upwardly from eachside of the rectangular base 11. Although elevating suitcase 10 is showna rectangular, any desired shape or dimensions may be utilized. However,it is preferable that total dimensions of the elevating suitcase 10 donot exceed 62 linear inches.

A handle, such as a telescopic handle 18, is generally incorporated inthe luggage 12, although not necessarily so. Other alternative handle(not shown) means may be provided attached to any side or edge of theluggage, such as side 16 a. The handle 18 may be included to allow theelevating suitcase to be used in the manner of both a traditional carrysuitcase and an upright wheeled suitcase.

The carrying case 12 of the elevating suitcase 10 may be suitablyattached to an elevating structure 22, for example, by attaching theluggage 12 with latch 14 on the base frame 28 and secured by a hook 15on top frame 27. The top frame 27 attaches the luggage 12 to the liftingstructure of the elevating structure 22. The legs 24 a and 24 b areattached at one end to rollers 13 a and 13 b that run in the base frame28. When the elevating suitcase 10 is in its first transportableposition, the top frame 27 of the elevating structure 22 is securedflush against the base 28. Legs 24 a and 24 b are collapsed and liebeneath luggage 12, against the walls 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and 28 d of thebase 28. When the elevating suitcase 10 is in its second restingposition, as shown in FIG. 1, legs 24 a and 24 b are raised from thebase 28 and the luggage 12 is elevated.

There is a battery 30 with a USB connection for the operator'sconvenience, which powers an actuator 31 which is housed within a wall28 a and 28 c of the base 28. Further, there is a plurality of wheels 32which are further attached to the base 28 to assist in the transport ofthe elevating suitcase 10.

In use, the operator activates the electric actuator 31, such as with apower button (not shown), or by remote control (not shown). The actuatorwithin wall 28 a and 28 c of the base 28 turns, causing legs 24 a and 24b to raise from its first transportable position, to a predeterminedheight, such as 32 inches. To return the suitcase to its first position,the operator simply uses a button (not shown) to lower the elevatingstructure 22.

Alternatively, a pneumatic actuator 31 or hydraulic actuator 31 can beused by using a retractable foot pedal 40 to pump up to the desiredheight. To lower the elevating structure 22, the operator will releasethe pressure with a control (not shown) or pedal 40.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalentalterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexeddrawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components (assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms(including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such componentsare intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any componentwhich performs the specified function of the described component (i.e.,that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in theherein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition,while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combinedwith one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired andadvantageous for any given or particular application.

The following are proposed merely as an indication of what theinventor(s) may be interested in pursuing by way of patent protection,without prejudice to any future patent right. An elevating suitcasecomprising a piece of luggage and base that elevates to a predeterminedheight to allow easy access to the contents of the luggage.

1. An elevating suitcase comprising: a carrying case having arectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover, whereby thefour upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from each side of therectangular base; an elevating structure attached to the carrying case;the elevating structure having a base frame and a top frame; andcollapsible legs that are attached at one end to rollers that run in thebase frame and at the other end to the top frame.
 2. The elevatingsuitcase of claim 1 including a handle mounted through an upstandingsidewall.
 3. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including a latch on thebase frame to attach the elevating structure to the carrying case. 4.The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including a hook on the top frame toattach the elevating structure to the carrying case.
 5. The elevatingsuitcase of claim 1 including an actuator connected at one end to thebase frame and at an opposite end to the top frame to cause the legs toraise from a first transportable position to a second elevated positionwhere the top frame is spaced from the base frame at a predeterminedheight.
 6. The elevating suitcase of claim 5 wherein the actuator ispowered by the battery.
 7. The elevating suitcase of claim 6 wherein thebattery includes a USB connection and is housed within a wall of thebase frame.
 8. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including a pluralityof wheels attached to the base frame to assist in the transport of theelevating suitcase.
 9. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 wherein theelevating suitcase has a first transportable position wherein the topframe of the elevating structure is secured flush against the baseframe.
 10. The elevating suitcase of claim 9 wherein the legs of theelevating structure are collapsed and lie beneath carrying case againstthe walls of the base frame.
 11. The elevating suitcase of claim 1wherein the elevating suitcase has a second elevated position whereinthe top frame of the elevating structure is spaced from the base frame.12. The elevating suitcase of claim 11 wherein the legs are raised fromthe base frame and the carrying case is elevated.
 13. The elevatingsuitcase of claim 1 wherein a pneumatic actuator can be powered with aretractable foot pedal to raise the legs from the base frame andelevating the carrying case.
 14. The elevating suitcase of claim 13wherein the elevating structure is lowered by releasing the pressure onthe pedal.
 15. The method of elevating a suitcase, comprising: providinga carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, atop cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardlyfrom each side of the rectangular base; attaching an elevating structureto the carrying case; providing the elevating structure with a baseframe and a top frame; and attaching collapsible legs at one end torollers that run in the base frame and at the other end to the topframe.
 16. The method of claim 15 including securing the top frame ofthe elevating structure flush against the base frame.
 17. The method ofclaim 16 further including collapsing the legs beneath the carrying caseagainst the walls of the base frame.
 18. The method of claim 15including spacing the top frame of the elevating structure from the baseframe.
 19. The method of claim 18 further including raising the legsfrom the base frame and the carrying case is elevated.